Pape Thiao, the head coach of the Senegal national team, raised the level of challenge just hours before the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, affirming that his team is in peak readiness to defend their continental title against Morocco, the host nation with the support of their home crowd.

Thiao said during the press conference ahead of the final match that the victory over the Egyptian national team in the semi-final was the most important and toughest test in the tournament journey. He described the "Pharaohs" as the most prestigious and strongest team on the African continent, noting that this win gave his players a significant morale boost and high confidence to continue on the path toward the championship.

The Senegal coach added that facing the host country carries special pressures, but his team has enough experience and character to handle the crowd atmosphere. He explained that the fans will remain in the stands, while the final decision will be made on the pitch, affirming his determination to secure the second consecutive title.

Organizational notes before the final.

Despite his general praise for the Moroccan organization of the tournament, Thiao did not hide his reservations about certain organizational aspects that preceded the final match, referring to the statement issued by the Senegalese federation regarding the team delegation facing dangerous situations.

The coach explained that what happened after the team's arrival was not befitting of a team of Senegal's stature, emphasizing that the players were in an unsafe situation amid crowds without adequate security. He stressed the importance of addressing these issues to preserve the image of African football and ensure the success of the tournament.

Thiao emphasized that the purpose of these remarks is not to spoil the event, but to highlight mistakes that should be avoided in the future, especially given the significant increase in the level of organization and competition within the tournament.

Artistic vision and match schedule

Regarding the refereeing, the head coach of Senegal refused to place any additional pressure on the officials, emphasizing that mistakes are part of football. He stated that the focus should be solely on the technical aspects when facing a strong team like Morocco, which has contributed to the development of African football with its historic achievement in the World Cup.

The final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to be held at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital, Rabat, on the evening of Sunday, January 18. The kickoff is set for 9:00 PM, concluding the continental tournament with a highly anticipated showdown between the defending champion and the host nation.